Mars Hill drops road contest to Limestone

GAFFNEY, S.C. - The Mars Hill baseball team lost 4-1 to Limestone Tuesday afternoon in road action. Travis Owens led the Lions with four hits in four at-bats.

Scoreless heading into th bottom of the third inning, the Saints put up three runs to take the lead. Ryan Creps led off with a single through the right side of the infield. Brandon Etheridge duplicated the feat, advancing Creps to second. Limestone's Channing Painton doubled down the left field line to drive in Creps while Etheridge advanced to third. A walk to Zach Piazza loaded the bases with no outs.

A flare shot forced Gray McCurry to make a play in shallow right field. Securing the out, Etheridge was able to tag up and score the second Saints' run. Brandon Banks singled to left field to drive in Painton and establish a three-run lead.

In the fourth, fifth and seventh innings, the Lions would be unable to get a runner on base, going three-up, three-down. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, the Saints tacked on an insurance run with Trace Whetsell driving in Piazza with a single into left field.

Mars Hill attempted a comeback bid in the top of the ninth inning, plating one run. Following a Matt Honeycutt walk, Christian Stampler was hit by a pitch to put two Lions' on base with one out. Josh Hall loaded the bases after seeing four balls and getting to first on a walk. Barrett Henning's sacrifice fly plated Honeycutt for the lone Mars Hill run.

Hall and Daniel Vitello were the only other Lions to register a hit on the afternoon. Creps, Piazza and Whetsell each had two hits for the Saints.

Troy Hall is credited with the loss in 2.2 innings of work, allowing five hits and three runs. Matt Orth picks up his first win of the season, going five innings and striking out four.

The Lions fall to 1-6 on the year while Limestone improves to 5-2.

Mars Hill hosts Kutztown on Saturday, February 17th in their 2018 home opener. The first of two games is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.